Hear now of the sacred observances prescribed for women, O twice-born sages, as revealed in the holy scripture. For a full year, a maiden or even a widow undertakes a vow of fasting, abstaining from food, with steadfast discipline. At the year’s completion, she must fashion an image as previously instructed, and, after installing it properly within the temple of Rudra, she offers food to the Brahmins. In this auspicious act, she rejoices together with Bhavānī, the Divine Mother. Any woman who maintains this practice for a year—especially by observing the fourteenth day of the dark fortnight alone—and, at the year’s end, creates an image by whatever means she can, fulfills the sacred rite. Having performed all the prescribed ceremonies, she again rejoices with Bhavānī. On the new moon, she should remain fasting throughout the year, maintaining strict self-control. At the conclusion of the vow, she must make a trident as prescribed and offer it. She bathes the Lord with reverence and worships Him with a thousand pure white lotuses. She should also give a silver lotus and a golden earring to Bhava and to the Brahmins, along with a suitable donation. By the gift of the trident, all sins—whether committed knowingly or unknowingly, even the gravest such as the destruction of a fetus—are destroyed for a woman, leaving no doubt. Thus, by these observances, she attains union with Bhavānī, O best of the twice-born. If a man performs the same rites, he too attains union with Rudra. On both the full moon and the new moon, for a year without fail, a devoted woman or man should keep the fasts as prescribed. Yet, O twice-born, a woman must undertake these acts—recitation, charity, and austerity—only with her husband’s permission, for women are not independent in such matters. At the year’s end, she should offer an image adorned with all fragrances. Such a virtuous woman, firm in her vows, attains union and likeness with Bhavānī, and this is certain, truly as it is spoken. Alternatively, in the sacred month of Kārtika, a woman who observes these rites with single-minded devotion, practicing forgiveness, nonviolence, and celibacy, should give one measure of black sesame seeds without neglect. She should also offer rice cooked with ghee and sugar to the Supreme Lord and to the Brahmins, according to her ability. On the eighth and fourteenth days, devoted to fasting, she rejoices with Bhavānī, becoming steadfast in her vows and attaining resemblance to the Goddess. Forgiveness, truthfulness, compassion, charity, purity, and control of the senses—these are the universal virtues accompanying all vows and the worship of Rudra. Now, listen as the sequence of sacred images and offerings for each month is revealed, from Mārgaśīrṣa to the end of Kārtika. In Mārgaśīrṣa, the great vow described by Nandin is to be performed, and an excellent, full-bodied bull should be offered, properly adorned, to Śiva. By this, one rejoices with Bhavānī, without doubt. In the month of Puṣya, a trident is to be established and offered, following all prior instructions; again, the devotee rejoices with Bhavānī. In Māgha, a chariot, decorated with all auspicious marks, should be constructed and offered after duly worshipping the Lord of gods, with Brahmins also being fed. In Phālguna, the Goddess is greatly pleased when an image, made according to rule out of gold—or, depending on means, silver or copper—is established, worshipped, and installed in Śaṅkara’s temple. In Chaitra, the making of Bhava, Kumāra, and Bhavānī from copper or other metals, properly established and offered to Rudra, brings joy with Bhavānī. Further, a house in the style of Kubera, made entirely of silver and adorned with all kinds of jewels, should be constructed. Within, the Lord united with Umā and surrounded by Gaṇeśas is to be established and installed in the auspicious abode of the Supreme Lord Bhava. In Vaiśākha, the supreme vow called Kailāsa is to be performed, and by this, the devotee attains the joy of reaching Mount Kailāsa and rejoicing with Bhavānī. Come Jyeṣṭha, the great god in the form of the liṅga, Lord of Umā, is to be worshipped by Brahmā and Viṣṇu with joined palms. In the center, united with Bhava, the liṅga form is to be made from copper or other metals, along with a swan and a boar, and established according to proper procedure. Brahmins are then to be fed, and one thus attains Śiva in Śiva’s abode, as prescribed. Once installed with the Brahmins, one attains union with the Goddess. In the auspicious month of Āṣāḍha, a beautiful house is to be built with well-fired bricks, as means allow, filled with all kinds of grains and auspicious items, including household implements, servants, beds, and seats. The house is to be covered with garments, and the great Lord, husband of Umā, is to be bathed with ghee and other substances. A thousand Brahmins are to be fed, and a learned, humble Brahmin who has mastered the Vedas is to be honored. A Brahmin in the first stage of life is to be worshipped with devotion, and a maiden of slender waist and full lifespan is to be offered, along with a field, a pair of cows, and, in that house, various divine beds and seats like Mount Meru. By these acts, one attains Goloka and delights together with Bhavānī, becoming her equal, imperishable in every age. There is no doubt: one attains union with Bhavānī, adorned amidst all elements with splendid banners, radiant and blessed.